It's never too late to follow your dream

Saturday, June 20, 2015
Missouri Rep. Particia Pike presents Burnley a Missouri House Proclamation signed by the Speaker of the House and Pike. Ralph Pokorny/Daily Mail

Nevada Daily Mail

"I've been lied to," Nevada Police Chief Graham Burnley said good humoredly, after long-time friend and the chair of the Rotary's Citizen of the Year award, surprised Burnley with the announcement that he was the 2015 recipient during Thursday's Rotary Club meeting.

Chief Burley was a long-time member of the Missouri National Guard and became the guard's highest ranking non-commissioned officer, Frank Arnold, co-recipient of the 2014 award said after presenting Burnley with his award.

Burnleys take time for a family photo after Thursday's Citizen of the Year ceremony Back: Chief Graham Burnley, Janet Burnley, and Kelly Miller. Front: Sarah and Caleb Miller. Ralph Pokorny/Daily Mail

Pat Arnold, co-recipient of the 2014 award, said that if you have a problem, go talk to the chief, when you leave you will feel better.

Unknown to Burnley, Branham had been working covertly for several weeks with his family to make sure Burnley would be at the June 18 meeting, without knowing anything about his selection.

"The Nevada Rotary Club has sponsored the Citizen of the Year Award since 1964. Prior to that time the award was presented by the American Legion from 1942 to 1959. No award was presented between 1960 and 1963," Branham said in her introductory remarks.

"We honor individuals for exemplary volunteer efforts demonstrating creativity, vision, leadership and citizenship by providing service to programs and activities that positively impact our community.

" The award has gone to a diversified group of great individuals over the last 50 years.

"Individuals receiving this award over a period of time consistently demonstrate excellence in professionalism, volunteerism and community leadership.

"Individuals have made or are making significant contributions to the welfare of the community by participating freely of time and energy ...

"I consider Graham a good friend and we share membership in the club 'almost retired' or at least we know at 62 we can! Graham, the bedrock of your vision is the very idea of honoring good citizenship. In a high tech society -- growth and sustainability depend on resources that are in our brains and hearts. You have revealed your shining vision of what your department can be and developed that vision into reality as we look at your well-respected department and a newly developed facility with your signature. At the same time you have embraced and valued your department's history and those that have served this community ...

"You have a distinguished career and exceptional dedication to law enforcement. That dedication to law enforcement and the uniform is truly without compare.

"You don't do your job by yourself, it takes a team, but it also takes a leader like you.

"Your lifetime of devotion to service and mankind is evident through your ability, compassion and positive attitude in the face of adversity.

"You have qualities of the mind and heart that spells success.

"Citizenship is the most honored calling of every man, woman and child and your life exemplifies what citizenship is!"

After recently being hired as the new city manager in 2010, JD Kehrman was faced with finding a new police chief.

Kehrman said he contacted the Missouri Police Chief's Association. When he told them what qualifications he was looking for he was steered to Burnley, who had recently retired from a police department in the St. Louis area and with his wife Janet, was getting ready to move to their house on the Lake of the Ozarks.

To help with the search for a new police chief Kehrman and the city council had appointed a citizens committee.

John Flynn, who was one of the committee members, said that Burnley stood out among the other well-qualified candidates who were interviewed.

Kehrman said, "He's one of the best guys I've known."

Branham said that because of work some of Burnley's family were not able to attend, but they sent written comments to be read.

One of Burnley's daughters, Kelly Miller, of Pittsburg, Kan., said in a letter that her father had taught her many lessons through the years, like the value of hard work, determination, or how to hold a grudge.

"However, the biggest lesson he taught me was when I was 36 years old. When my dad called to tell me that he was driving to Nevada to interview for a job as the next Chief of Police I was shocked. When he got the job, and he and my mom decided they were moving to Nevada, I was even more shocked.

"As you know, he and my mom moved across the state from St. Louis for the Chief job. You might not know that they had both lived there almost their entire lives. They were born there, grew up there, met there, married there, and raised my siblings and me there. All their family and friends were there. St. Louis was home and all their memories were there. It was hard to believe they were willing to leave that all behind. What I learned from my dad in that moment was it was never too late to follow your dreams. He had always wanted to be a Chief of Police and he was going to make it happen. When I thought he was thinking about retirement he was strategically making his next move. He was getting ready to create a new home and a new set of memories with the wonderful people of Nevada who have embraced my parents wholeheartedly. What I learned about my mom in that moment ... she was and is a saint, but you all already knew that.

Nevada Municipal Court judge, Bryan Breckenridge, said in a letter that Burnley's respect for the history of the Nevada Police Department and its former members was one of the things that most impressed him.

He said that Burnley "had the good judgment to bring in police chiefs from other departments who acted as advisors to him when he first arrived, in addition to some locals who tried to get him up to speed about Nevada."

"Chief has brought a renewed sense of pride to the department which we can see in all aspects of the officers' deportment. He has insisted that the courtroom bailiffs be professional in appearance and conduct, which I have certainly appreciated.

"Another factor in the department's professionalism is the number of officers who have completed CIT training under his watch. I'm confident a number of incidents have been defused by that training when circumstances could have escalated without the proper intervention.

I very much appreciate his efforts to make our community safer and his department even more professional."

Another of Burnley's daughters, Laura Burnley-Faulstich, who was unable to come from St. Louis for the ceremony, sent her written sentiments.

"When I think of him the word legendary comes to mind, not just because he is my father, but because he has always made an impact to anything he has been a part of. He has never been satisfied with being a part of something but rather rises to lead or organize the effort. He has created a life that has left footprints across the state of Missouri.

"When he announced that he was leaving St. Louis to move across the state, all I could think about was what I was losing rather than thinking about what the city of Nevada would be gaining. I now realize that because he moved, he impacted an entire community Shortly after he started in Nevada he told me how he was immersing himself in the community and how it was "his town." He told me how he is a "small town guy" who has no intention of returning to the big city and that he found himself devoted to Nevada. His focus has changed to make Nevada the best city it could be starting with the Police. His impact has left footprints across Nevada.

"My dad has always encouraged us to work hard, appreciate those around us and to give back. He has helped shape the lives of his kids to be driven and like him, not be satisfied with being on the team but to strive for more. It is expected that you contribute to the greater good and be a pillar in which the team can rely on. He has left footprints on my life.

TThank you for honoring a man that can create such an impact with little words and big actions. His footprints are deep in the soil of Nevada. I know he is honored to be the citizen of the year in a town which he calls 'his town.'"

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: